I picked up "The Hobbit" in first grade, against the advice of older, wiser heads. Loved it, but decided the older, wiser heads had a point. I tried "The Fellowship of the Rings" in second grade. Loved it, but older, wiser heads still had a point. I finished the series the following year. Loved it then, and still do, lo these many rereads later. (Most recently, I read it on my new Kindle for the first time).

Favorite Tolkien character:

Samwise Gamgee. The could be no better, truer friend, as far as I am concerned. That's a thing I value highly. Also, he was pretty amazing in the last bits of the book, from the encounter with Shelob onwards especially.